07 October 2005
An independent scrutiny group has been set up by the Scottish Executive to review its expenditure and ensure budgets are meeting priorities across all departments.
Announcing details this week, finance minister Tom McCabe said it was being established as part of the Executive's continuous commitment to ensure that taxpayers' money was being spent wisely and in priority areas.
He added: 'We wanted people with the relevant skills to take on this task to deliver results and have the ability to present a strong case for a course of action. The reviewers all have great experience and knowledge of the public sector and its budgetary needs.'
The reviewers include one existing council chief executive, four former local authority chief executives and one former council director of finance. McCabe said private sector contributions to the group would also be invited.
The group will be required to produce a progress report by the end of January, with a final report by the end of the following month.
The eight members are Peter Daniels, former chief executive of East Renfrewshire Council; Bernard Devine, former chief executive of North Ayrshire Council; Bill Howat, chief executive of Western Isles Council; Bill Hughes, former finance director of Renfrewshire Council; Harry Robertson, former chief executive of Perth & Kinross Council; Alex Smith, chief executive of NHS Grampian; Archie Strang, executive director of finance and IT resources at South Lanarkshire Council; and George Thorley, former chief executive of South Ayrshire Council.
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